It’s easy to understand why your kitchen or your bathroom might be unsafe, with all their wet surfaces and sharp edges. But what about your bedroom? Surely, your cozy bedroom is the safest room in your house. Well, it might be, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways you can improve the safety of your bedroom. Especially if you’re a senior citizen who values the independence and familiarity of continuing to live in your own home, these simple tips should help you maintain your bedroom as the safest, most comfortable room in your house.

1. Keep a flashlight within easy reach of your bed and check the batteries regularly. Don’t rely on your bedside light to show you the way in the darkness. The power can go out and lightbulbs can burn out.
2. Install night lights in your room and on the way to the bathroom. Night lights can be particularly helpful when you don’t want to disturb your partner by turning on a room light when you get up to use the bathroom.
3. Make sure there is adequate walking space around your bed. Give yourself plenty of room to maneuver around your bed as you go about your daily activities, dressing, making the bed, cleaning, and so on.
4. Have a sturdy chair in your bedroom (with arms) to sit and dress. Dressing can be painful if you have trouble standing for long periods of time. Give yourself a break and bring a good chair into your bedroom.
5. Invest in wall-to-wall, low-pile carpeting. You’re much less likely to slip and fall on carpet than you are on hardwood floors or area rugs. If you can’t afford a new carpet, consider waxing with a non-slip floor wax.
6. If you need to, locate your bedroom on the first floor. There’s no rule that says bedrooms have to be upstairs. Consider swapping your downstairs office or den for an upstairs bedroom. Get a professional moving company or strong friends or relatives to help you move the furniture.
7. Make sure your night table has enough room for all your important items. You might need to grab your telephone, cell phone, glasses, and other important items without getting out of your bed. Make sure they’re within reach.

What about the other rooms?

The tips in this article should go a long way towards injury-proofing your bedroom, but what about the rest of your home? For safety tips for your bathroom, kitchen, living room, and the exterior of your home.